Let me start by saying this book shook me. Not in a 'oh that's interesting' way, but in a 'I need to sit with this for days' kind of way. Dalina Soto doesn't just talk about diets - she exposes their racist roots with surgical precision.
As someone who thought they knew anti-diet literature inside out, I was humbled page after page. That moment when Soto connects modern diet trends to eugenics? Mind-blowing. I actually had to put the book down and process that revelation.
The cultural perspective is what makes this stand out. Soto shows how food isn't just fuel - it's identity, history, and community rolled into every bite. Her personal stories about family recipes and traditions made me nostalgic for meals I've never even eaten.
Is it challenging to read at times? Absolutely. There were moments I had to confront my own privilege as a white reader. But that discomfort is exactly why this book matters so much.
While I didn't agree with every single point (that Oreos comment felt oddly restrictive), the overall message of food freedom and cultural celebration comes through loud and clear. This isn't just another nutrition book - it's a movement in paperback form.